Why don’t more bands take their drummers seriously? While there are enough drummer jokes usually focusing on the lack of musicianship, New York City’s Channeling Owen aptly proves all the drumming jokes painfully wrong. Stu Strumwasser might spend his time playing at the back of the stage, but his lyrical prowess brings So Much Depends Upon Furry Bright Green Shoes to life. Maybe it’s the rhythm pulsing through the words, maybe it’s vocalist/guitarist Matt Tonken’s chugging style that seems more locked into the rhythm than on frontman posturing, or maybe it’s just that Channeling Owen is that unique.

A foursome consisting of guitar, bass, drums, and electric cello, Channeling Owen might initially feel like garden-variety alternative, but soon Mika Larson’s otherworldly cello cuts through the music, riffing like Jimmy Page or Brian May, then the lyrics start coming through and finally, the interplay between guitar and bass makes Channeling Owen very unconventional and very good. Rounded out by angular bassist Dean Beaver, Channeling Owen recalls early Queen and The Tubes with a heavy helping of early-’80s American New Wave.

Kicking off with "Cracker Jack Prize," Furry Bright Green Shoes doesn’t let up until it takes a brief respite into the alt-ballad world with "Play Me," a number that could give the Goo Goo Dolls (kings of earnest Alt-ballads), a run for their money. But soon after, Channeling Owen jumps right back on the bike taking off in their rock world. Hard to categorize but easily recognizable, Furry Bright Green Shoes should be in the running for best-unknown release of the year. (22/7 Records, channelingowen.com)

With an opening line that hearkens back to the introductory invitation from ELP’s Brain Salad Surgery, Andrew Schmidt begins Stir’s second album with the song "Superstation" singing, "Welcome to the party; Are you having fun? We’re going on a magical ride …"

Stepping confidently into the same territory that Soul Asylum, The GooGoo Dolls, and Third Eye Blind have occupied for the last few years, Stir cranks out a power-pop/rock that is polished and sparkling clean. Although it lacks the bitter fury and savage brilliance of more cynical radio sensations like Everclear and the Foo Fighters, the strengths of Holy Dogs are its sincerities. An abundance of simple but tight harmonies, and sing-a-long choruses are sure to make this a summer favorite with all beach-bound Cabriolet owners. Already, the first single has begun to show up on radio stations around the country, despite the groups relative obscurity, and I can almost assure you that you’ll be hearing songs from this album for the next few months at least.

As pop-rock albums go, this one is quite solid from beginning to end, although I’m not quite sure if that is the doing of the band itself, or the skill of the producer. Regardless, it’s a CD that will provide hours of listening pleasure to those who appreciate Stir’s chosen genre. (Capitol Records)

Once again the public has to grin and bear it as Urban Dance Squad, just like every other rap and hip-hop artist, releases another rap-rock disc. The album — appropriately titled Artantica — suffers mostly from lack of originality, which can be clearly credited to the industry for flooding the radio with this style of music. But despite these obvious criticisms, there a few shining stars. The track labeled "Craftmatic Adjustable Girl" gives a much-needed flavor to the disc. Its breakbeat dance styling could be a potential dance club hit. Other tracks such as "Happy Go F#@ked Up" use the band’s ska roots to pull away from the rap-rock mold. I don’t foresee any tracks going platinum, like their well-known "A Deeper Shade of Soul" from the early ’90s. If you are a fan of sampling and cute intro phrases at the beginning of songs, than this album is for you. The serious fans of the rap-rock industry aren’t going to be as tolerable of this softer rock sound as they were when this style first hit the market. Had they just spent a couple of more months in the studio refining some of the tracks, I see platinum, but until then they’ll be playing the small stage. (Triple X Records)